The Elissa sets sail

The 1877 tall ship Elissa set sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration.

By Photos by Brett Coomer / Houston Chronicle

on March 29, 2014 7:22 PM

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare to unfurl a sail as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare to unfurl a sail as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters ... more

Christa Schreckengost takes photos of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

Christa Schreckengost takes photos of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters ... more

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico ... more

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico ... more

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and ... more

A flag flies atop one of the masts of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

A flag flies atop one of the masts of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters ... more

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico ... more

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare to unfurl the ship's sails for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare to unfurl the ship's sails for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the ... more

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and ... more

A dolphin swims off the bow of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

A dolphin swims off the bow of the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the ... more

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and ... more

Marcelo Moreno gets ready to take a photo of the 1877 tall ship Elissa before she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

Marcelo Moreno gets ready to take a photo of the 1877 tall ship Elissa before she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the ... more

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The 1877 tall ship Elissa sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and ... more

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail as spectators watch from an adjacent dock for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The crew of the 1877 tall ship Elissa prepare her to sail as spectators watch from an adjacent dock for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned ... more

Guests board the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

Guests board the 1877 tall ship Elissa as she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico ... more

The 1877 tall ship Elissa is docked next to the Carnival Triumph before she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open waters of the Gulf of Mexico with guests and supporters aboard for a first hand look at her completed restoration. less

The 1877 tall ship Elissa is docked next to the Carnival Triumph before she sets sail for the first time in more than four years Saturday, March 29, 2014, in Galveston. Elissa once again returned to the open ... more